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Cowra, NSW to go into lockdown after nine-year-old boy tests positive

Anton NilssonNCA NewsWire
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Camera IconNot Supplied Credit: Supplied

The regional NSW town of Cowra went into lockdown at 5pm on Monday after a boy attended school while infected with coronavirus.

The boy is the town’s first Covid-19 case ever.

The lockdown applies to all of Cowra Shire for the next seven days and anyone who has been there since September 13 will be made to follow the stay-at-home orders.

“There was a nine-year-old boy who attended school in Cowra and there were a number of associated community exposures,” chief health officer Kerry Chant said on Monday.

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“The source at the moment is under investigation and I would call on the Cowra community, which I know they will, to respond to increased testing.

“It is pleasing to see that the Cowra population has a high vaccination coverage but again, a call out to the Cowra community to go forth and get vaccinated.”

Cowra has been plunged into lockdown after a nine-year-old boy tested positive after attending school for a few days. Picture: NSW Health
Camera IconCowra has been plunged into lockdown after a nine-year-old boy tested positive. NSW Health Credit: Supplied

Cowra was one of the regional communities that benefited from eased restrictions for the fully vaccinated a little over a week ago.

It meant businesses like pubs and hairdressers opened to the double-jabbed under restrictions similar to those that will apply in the whole state once NSW manages to fully vaccinate 70 per cent of the population.

But Deputy Premier John Barilaro warned regional communities that hadn’t had any cases could be locked down again if even a single local infection emerged.

Since Mr Barilaro made that announcement on September 10, six regional council areas have been put under lockdown: Yass, Albury, Lismore, Glen Innes, Hilltops, and Cowra.

Cootamundra MP Steph Cooke, whose state electorate includes Cowra, urged local residents to “play their part” and get tested for Covid-19.

“I ask everyone in the community of Cowra to stay vigilant, practice good hygiene and social distancing, get tested and get vaccinated,” Ms Cooke said.

Cowra Shire, a council area with a population of about 12,000 people, will stay in lockdown for at least seven days.

The rules will be the same as the ones that apply in other regional communities under lockdown.

Under those rules, people will only be allowed to leave home for a few specific reasons.

Those include essential shopping, medical care or compassionate needs, essential work and studies, and attending a wedding or funeral of up to 11 people.

However the “picnic rule” that came into effect for fully vaccinated people on Monday will still apply.

That means those people can gather outdoor for exercise or recreation in groups of five as long as everyone is vaccinated.

Under the lockdown rules, people will need to wear masks at all times unless they‘re in their own homes, cars or while eating and drinking.

People hanging out with their “singles bubble” partner can also do so maskless.

NSW Health said in a media release that the length of the lockdown would be determined by the number of people who get tested and vaccinated.

“A strong response to testing will be a key factor in determining if these stay-at-home orders are extended beyond one week,” the health department said.

“High vaccination rates are also essential to reduce the risk of transmission and protect the health and safety of the community.”

Originally published as Cowra, NSW to go into lockdown after nine-year-old boy tests positive

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